Page:Early English adventurers in the East (1917).djvu/106

102 out in sections and which he badly needed for local trading purposes. A site near the shore was procured without difficulty lot the projected work of reconstruction, and soon a large gang of men were employed, under the carpenter's supervision, upon the business. An evening approached the men withdrew to the vicinity of the house allotted for the accommodation of the goods. There, revelling in the unwonted freedom of shore liberty, they engaged in innocent recreations. One had brought a treble viol and another a cornet, and soon the white walls of Mocha resounded to the strange sounds of English music. Middleton and the higher officials were either of the company or in its immediate vicinity. There was a general disposition to take relaxation after the heat of the day and to forget for a time the difficulties of the enterprise which had before loomed so menacingly upon the horizon.

Bitterly had the Englishmen cause to regret their too conﬁding disposition. Without a moment's warning they were attacked by a large body of armed men, who had quietly surrounded them as they were amusing themselves. Effective resistance was out of the question. Most of the men were quite unarmed, and the small number who had weapons were not in a position to use them to advantage. Nevertheless, a few did make a show of opposition, paying with their lives for their temerity. In a very short time the whole party were either captives or dead men. The survivors numbered fifty-nine, and included, besides Middleton, Laurence Femell, the chief factor, and some other members of the merchant staff.

Elated at the success of his plans Rejib Aga decided to follow it up by an attack on the ships before they could hear of the disaster which had overwhelmed their